A Companion on the Spiritual Journey

October 1, 2008

Links to Read on C.G. Jung

Please read the material below, as well as the entries for Joseph Campbell and Marian Woodman, for our next class (Oct 8). There are some questions for discussion included in each section.

Following are a few selected links that have summary information about the life and work of C.G. Jung. There's a ton more out there - but much of it is oriented to people who are already pretty familiar with his work, so these are a pretty good start. In reading this, try to come up with a working definition for yourself of "the archetype" as used by Jung. Also try to figure out what he felt the goal of psychological development was and how, in the modern age, people are supposed to go about the work of becoming more fully themselves. How do people get it wrong?

Use this for the brief biography, the introduction to Jung - which has some especially good and succinct definitions - and the essay by Jung about psychology and art (which he sees as parallel to religion). Don't use the other links, as they take you out of the Jung material.
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Background on Joseph Campbell and Mythology

Here are a few useful web sites for anyone interested in knowing more about Joseph Campbell's work and ideas on mythology.

In reviewing these and reflecting on the "The Hero's Journey" video, think about how mythology contributes to people's religious journey. What is the relationship between myth and ritual? When are myths "alive" and when do they become culturally stagnant? How does myth work for a civilization? For an individual? (This connects to the Jungian theories of archetypes discussed in other Web reading for this week.)

An interview with Joseph Campbell, “Mythic Reflections," published in 1985

Marion Woodman links (contemporary Jungian)

Marion Woodman is one of the most intriguing of contemporary Jungian psychologists, and one particularly interesting for individuals interested in spirituality and in gender. Read these articles and interviews to get a better idea of her work. For Woodman, what is the relationship between the spiritual side of life and the physical side of life? How does gender figure in to spiritual or psychological growth? Are there distinctive challenges that women or that men face in their spiritual/psychological journey?